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Steam Engine
Who: James Watt
Where: Scottland
James Watt was given a steam engine to repair because it was inefficient and needed a lot of work done. In order to reapir the engine he had to create a separate condensing chamber because without it, it was losing enormous amounts of steam. When he finished his project the steam engine allowed the train to move perfectly and smoothly. We do not use the steam engine today because we have better inventions that allow the train to move. -
Steamboat
Who: John Fitch
Where: Delaware River
John Fitch's first steamboat was 45-feet and tested in the Delaware River. After he created the first steamboat he thought that he needed to make a bigger one, which he did, to carry passengers and freight between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Burlington, and New Jersey. Although the first made steam boats were not fast, they opened up a new travel for both cargo and passangers. Steamboats are currently used with a nuclear power engine instead of steam. -
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825 connecting the Great lakes with the Atlantic Ocean via the Hudson River. The opening of this Canal had an immediate and dramatic effect on American Society. It forced settlers to move west to New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Ohio. It also transported goods in less than half the previous time and of one tenth the previous fee. Today, the Erie Canal is used not to transport goods, but for pleasured boaters. -
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
Who: Charles Carroll
Where: Baltimore and Ohio
The Baltimore and Ohio railroad was the first rail road created in the United States. It helped to bring goods and supplies to neighboring states faster than the transportation used before the train. This railroad also made the city of Baltimore more competitive with New York and the Erie Canal in transporting people and goods to the west. We use trains all the time in current day America to get to places you need to be. -
Mechanincal Reaper
Who: Cyrus McCormick
Where: Virginia
The invention of the mechanincal reaper impacted American Society in a positive way because it brought an end to tedious handwork. It also encouraged the manufacturing of the reaper and other labor-saving farm instruments and machninery. The Reaper was used to harvest more grain at a time than 5 men. We still use the reaper today, but it is a much more updated version and is more effective on the farms. -
Steel Plow
Who: John Deere
Where: Grand Detour, Illinois
John Deere invented the steel plow because the wood plow was not able to plow soil of the Midwest without breaking. He created this plow by using an old blade saw and testing it on the soil. It ended up working and was used for many years after that. This plow was used by farmers to plant crops and take care of the growing nation. The steel plow, although not used today, was the first step to making farm equipment that we know today. -
Telegraph
Who: Samuel Morse
Where: New York, New York
The invention of the telegraph allowed long distance communication. This invention worked by sending electric signals over a wire laid between the two stations. Morse sent his first message from Washingotn, DC to Baltimore, Maryland which was a huge success. Although the telegraph was later replaced with the telephone, inernet, and fax machine, it laid the groundwork for comunications. -
Morse Code
Who: Samuel Morse
Where: New York, New York
The Morse Code invention allowed people to transmit messages across telegraph wires impacting American Society in a positive way. It was a code assigning letters to dashes and dots making communication quicker. As time went on, people who were getting the messages were able to depict it just by hearing the click of the receiver, replacing paper. This invention is not used today because we have better inventions such as phone to relay messages. -
Vulcanized Rubber
Who: Charles Goodyear
Where: Springfield, Massacusetts
The invention of vulcanized rubbber impacted American Society in a positive way. This invention revolutionized the rubber industry because without it, supplies such as, balls, gloves, penicl erasers, and tires would not be able to function. Goodyear effected American society in an extremely helpul way because in current day, people all around the world drive cars witht these rubber tires on them. -
Sewing Machine
Who: Elias Howe
Where: Spencer, Massachusetts
The invention of the sewing machine had a huge impact on American History. Specifically this tool effected the textile industry and women in a positive way. It allowed clothing to become a mass production, letting women make more money. It also sped up the process of sewing, and it was much easier than hand sewing. This machine is still being used today along with hand sewing because they are needed to make all different types of clothing.
